Israel's Defense Minister Signals Readiness for Gaza Population Relocation

In a controversial statement, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that the government is "organised and prepared" to evacuate Palestinians from Gaza, contingent on U.S. approval regarding their resettlement. Speaking at a Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth conference, Katz emphasized, "There is no real solution for Gaza in the end without this migration."

Katz indicated that Israel has comprehensive plans for potential evacuation by various means, including air and sea, while awaiting guidance from the United States on where displaced Gazans could go. This follows remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously suggested transforming Gaza into a luxury resort, a stance he later retracted amid significant backlash.

The minister claimed that a vast majority of Gazans—a figure he did not substantiate—desire to leave, but cited Hamas as an obstacle to their departure. He asserted that discussions surrounding the relocation plan remain active, dismissing it as merely paused rather than canceled. Katz's comments come amid ongoing violence that has already displaced many within Gaza, with Israeli military actions resulting in substantial civilian casualties.

Source: www.france24.com